775-353-5555
431 Prater Way Sparks, NV United States
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EN 
Sparks City Council Meeting 3/8/2021 2:00:00 PM
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/97040001645Meeting Dial-in #: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 97040001645
General Business: 9.4
Total Costs: $48,000.00|
Fund: General Fund Account: 603180 Program: Grant Match Program (059084) Amount: $48,000.00 Budget Status: Budget Exists |
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.
Sparks Fire Department is seeking City Council's direction to apply for the current year's SAFER grant for three additional firefighter positions. If awarded, the grant would pay for three additional firefighter positions for three years.
Background:
Sparks Fire Department is considering applying for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant provided by FEMA to increase the City's complement of firefighters. The SAFER grant is a three-year grant that fully funds the salary and benefits of each employee. Sparks Fire Department will be required to purchase the necessary firefighting equipment for these employees and guarantee employment for those three years. If awarded to Sparks Fire Department, the SAFER grant would allow Sparks Fire Department to add one firefighter to each battalion, at least for the three-year term of the grant. Staff anticipates that after the three-year grant term, the grant-funded employees would continue as regular full-time personnel. The SAFER grant application period opened in February and will close on March 12, 2021. FEMA will then begin the grading process for all applications throughout the nation and will notify the individual departments of any awards. Notification normally occurs in late summer or early fall.
Analysis:
Applying for the SAFER grant will allow Sparks Fire Department to increase the staffing of each battalion from 25 employees to 26. The average cost of a firefighter-paramedic is $148,000 per person, per year, including salary and benefits. Salary and benefits would be covered by the SAFER grant. Fire Department personnel will be responsible for applying for and managing the grant for the covered three years. In the past, the SAFER grant has required grant recipients to provide matching funds, but this year, the SAFER grant has no matching requirements for the entire three-year grant period. Staff could delay applying for the SAFER grant for a year, but matching requirements may be reinstated in future grant periods.
Alternatives:
1. The City Council may direct the City Manager to apply for the SAFER grant by the deadline of March 12, 2021 for three additional firefighters for a period of three years.
2. The City Council may direct the City Manager not to apply for the SAFER grant during this grant period.
Recommended Motion:
I move to direct the City Manager to apply for a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant to hire three firefighters for three years.
